Saturday, May 4, 2019

A six-year-old missing their two front teeth can
be quite the cause for celebration. Just think of all the tooth fairy
visits and all relatives marveling at the new, hip look.

Now if
it’s a teenager without those teeth, well that’s a different story with
much less celebration. And such tooth loss happens all the time -
particularly if your child participates in sports.

In fact, the
American Dental Association suggests that athletes are 60 times more
likely to experience harm to their teeth if they're not wearing a
properly fitting mouthguard.

Why Your Child Needs A Mouthguard

If your child is active in sports - even the backyard variety – please consider investing in one.

The
American Dental Association estimates that “a full third of all dental
injuries are sports related … and that the use of a mouthguard can
prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries to the mouth each year”.

The
risks of playing sports without protection aren’t just related to teeth
loss: a harsh impact to the jaw can even affect the growth of facial
features or cause a concussion that could have otherwise been avoided.

When
choosing a mouthguard, it’s important to remember that custom-made
guards are far superior to the "boil and bite" variety at local sporting
goods stores.

They are designed using a process similar to that
used when making an orthodontic retainer, and guarantee a perfect fit
to your child's mouth. The fit is the most important aspect of a
protective mouthguard.

Variations in the preparation and
specifications of custom guards depend on the type of sport your child
plays, as well as their age and overall dental health.

On the
fun side of things, guards can also be made to match your child's school
colors, or can feature the logo of their favorite professional team.

When There's Convincing to Do

At
first, you may find that your child objects to the idea of wearing a
mouthguard, much in the same manner as when you suggested they wear a
helmet while cycling.

This is natural, and if you experience
kick-back, it might help to show them pictures of their sports heroes
wearing guards. After all, mouthguards are commonplace in professional
sports, and there’s no reason your child wouldn’t want to imitate more
than just their favorite player’s moves.

If you’re still
wondering whether investing in a mouthguard is worth it, you’ll be
pleased to know that these dental appliances are rather affordable, and
can even sometimes be covered by your insurance.

You will also
sleep better at night without the prospect of huge dental surgery bills –
and knowing your child won’t going through school with a 1970’s
hockey-star smile.